Day remains special for Schurehohlz

Posted: Tuesday, April 03, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - John Schuerholz always has been known for his dapper look, but on Monday his tie seemed a little straighter, his creases were a little sharper and his shoes had a little extra shine to them.

Opening day has a way of turning one of 162 baseball games into a happening. Everything seemed bigger, faster and better, especially on a sun-splashed afternoon in Philadelphia when the Atlanta Braves played the Phillies.

The Atlanta Braves general manager was shaking hands on the field and renewing old acquaintances before the game. He was wearing a blazer and tie that, even by Schuerholz's standards, was to the nines.

"Opening day is a reason to get dressed up," he said.

Fans started arriving at Citizen's Bank Park at daybreak, six hours before Brett Myers' first pitch. Atlanta's team bus arrived at 10:45 a.m., but some of the players got to the park earlier than that and were in uniform.

For Braves manager Bobby Cox, Monday was his 44th opening day as a professional. He said it was every bit as exciting as his first in 1968 when he played for the New York Yankees.

"You're anxious to get going. You don't get it going until the very first day. It's the day you point to, probably, the last 10 days of spring training. You start getting the itch for it. It's the packed house, the introductions, the whole ball of wax. It's still an exciting day for me. The butterflies are always there," he said.

Cormier on track

Starting pitcher Lance Cormier will do some more throwing today from 90 feet as he tries to recover from stiffness in his throwing shoulder.

"There's no reason to rush it if I can get those two (throwing days) in there," he said. "I still feel good about it. It gets better and better every day. Obviously I wish it would have gone away in four days and be all out every day. I've got some time, I might as well take it. I was able to throw a little bit harder (Sunday). The longer I threw, the easier it got, so that was good."

Cox said today's voluntary workout at noon will be important for Cormier.

"It feels a lot better, buy you won't know until he turns it loose if he's going to be all right."

Cormier has the luxury of taking his time since the Braves have two off days in the first eight days of the regular season. That will allow Cox to use a four-man rotation without taxing the bullpen.

This and that

The Braves and Phillies are off today, but return to Citizen's Bank Park on Wednesday night. Tim Hudson (13-12 with 4.86 ERA in 2006) will start for Atlanta.